HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- A man who was changing a tire in the westbound lanes of Interstate 565 died after being hit by a passing 18-wheeler this morning, emergency officials said.

A man who had apparently been changing a tire on I-565 was hit by a passing 18-wheeler at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. (Eric Schultz/eschultz@al.com)

Don Webster, chief of operations for the HEMSI ambulance service, said the victim apparently went into the roadway to retrieve a spare tire that had gotten away from him and was hit by the passing truck.

The incident happened just after 10 a.m. on Interstate 565 at Glenn Hearn Boulevard, the Huntsville International Airport exit, according to police.